Southern California -- this just in

Osama bin Laden's death draws cheers, fireworks in L.A. area

May 1, 2011 | 9:14
pm

President Obama's speech announcing the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden was met with cheers and even some fireworks around Southern California.

About 25 Jewish students at USC were just finishing a ceremonial dinner at the campus Chabad House when whispers began making their way around the table and diners became focused on their smart phones. "Osama bin Laden is dead! It's on Twitter," one student finally said. The room erupted in cheers and high fives.

At Trax bar at Union Station, a Times reporter and her party asked bartenders who were cleaning up and closing the bar to turn on the TV when they heard of Bin Laden's death. The bartenders asked the patrons' names, shook their hands and said he would remember this moment that we were together when we found out.

Fireworks were heard in several communities after Obama's speech, including Long Beach, Lakewood and Pacoima.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, speaking at a small open-air Santa Monica memorial for California political consultant Kam Kuwata, announced at the end of her remarks that Bin Laden was dead.